Surfing @ The Library
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Access to the Internet is becoming widely available through area libraries, but don't expect to click onto just any type of website.
So far, four of seven area libraries have linked onto the Internet with access to patrons, and most are emphasizing education and research over fun and interpersonal frolic.
Staffs have quietly added the service without publicizing it too much for fear of being overwhelmed. That doesn't mean people aren't responding.
In Milford, nearly 200 people attended orientation classes when the service became available this spring. The library has since seen steady use of its three terminals.
Warsaw has two terminals and will open a computer lab next spring featuring up to 23 computers, many of which will have Internet access.
Representatives of libraries at Milford, Syracuse, Warsaw and Cromwell all require patrons to sign detailed agreements outlining rules. Those rules, involving permitted use, time limits and age restrictions, vary greatly.
New surfers on the web are warned that they may easily stumble across offensive, sometimes extremist material. For example, at one library, an assistant was searching for a subject using the word "president" when they stumbled onto an adult site that incorporated the word in its name.
Milford library director Lissa Krull has some sage advice on how to react if patrons come across disturbing material.
"The power to click is in their own hand, and when they get somewhere they feel uncomfortable they have the power to leave," Krull said.
Area libraries are relying on honesty as far as avoiding adult sites laced with pornography. None of the libraries is using filters to block out adult sites. Since the filters are not considered foolproof, libraries don't want to establish a false sense of security for parents, library directors said.
Warsaw Public Library's computer specialist, Edward Dawson, pointed to another reason not to use filters. "We're finding out some of the filters are politically slanted and include hidden filters," he said.
Milford is relying on peer pressure.
"Our computers are in a very public place," Krull said. "Some libraries put their monitors to the wall. We figure, this is a small town. You're almost assured of knowing somebody when you walk in here. We hope that will deter people from going into places that they shouldn't."
Those found intentionally visiting adult sites face a range of penalties. Potentially, access could be prohibited or the patron could be banned.
Adult sites aren't the only thing libraries are hoping to avoid.
When Warsaw connected to the Internet, it originally permitted people to access chatrooms, which are popular with people who want to interact and make friends on the Internet. The library later banned chatrooms because young chat enthusiasts began monopolizing the terminal.
Milford and Cromwell also prohibit chatrooms. Syracuse Public Library, which has four terminals, permits chatroom interaction. Chat is one of the most popular uses, said library director Roselyn Jones.
Library directors predict interest in using public terminals will continue to rise. But assessing how much is still guesswork.
Warsaw library will decide later about how many terminals will have Internet access when its lab opens. A CD-Rom network will be blended with Internet terminals, said library director Ann Zydek.
But just surfing the web for a specific purpose can be challenging for the novice. Understanding how to search for a subject is a key.
"I've had a lot of people tell me it's boring and frustrating," Krull said.
"We see a need to have further classes for people who are past the basic instruction," she said.
At Warsaw, Dawson has started a sign-up sheet for people interested in more free, in-depth assistance, most of which will be one-on-one.
Library workers don't keep tabs on the subjects, but have noticed a handful of popular themes. Some online patrons seek stock quotes, while others look for missing relatives, learn about antique clubs and surf for inexpensive airline tickets, Krull said.
Other popular uses have been business research and company profiles. [[In-content Ad]]
Access to the Internet is becoming widely available through area libraries, but don't expect to click onto just any type of website.
So far, four of seven area libraries have linked onto the Internet with access to patrons, and most are emphasizing education and research over fun and interpersonal frolic.
Staffs have quietly added the service without publicizing it too much for fear of being overwhelmed. That doesn't mean people aren't responding.
In Milford, nearly 200 people attended orientation classes when the service became available this spring. The library has since seen steady use of its three terminals.
Warsaw has two terminals and will open a computer lab next spring featuring up to 23 computers, many of which will have Internet access.
Representatives of libraries at Milford, Syracuse, Warsaw and Cromwell all require patrons to sign detailed agreements outlining rules. Those rules, involving permitted use, time limits and age restrictions, vary greatly.
New surfers on the web are warned that they may easily stumble across offensive, sometimes extremist material. For example, at one library, an assistant was searching for a subject using the word "president" when they stumbled onto an adult site that incorporated the word in its name.
Milford library director Lissa Krull has some sage advice on how to react if patrons come across disturbing material.
"The power to click is in their own hand, and when they get somewhere they feel uncomfortable they have the power to leave," Krull said.
Area libraries are relying on honesty as far as avoiding adult sites laced with pornography. None of the libraries is using filters to block out adult sites. Since the filters are not considered foolproof, libraries don't want to establish a false sense of security for parents, library directors said.
Warsaw Public Library's computer specialist, Edward Dawson, pointed to another reason not to use filters. "We're finding out some of the filters are politically slanted and include hidden filters," he said.
Milford is relying on peer pressure.
"Our computers are in a very public place," Krull said. "Some libraries put their monitors to the wall. We figure, this is a small town. You're almost assured of knowing somebody when you walk in here. We hope that will deter people from going into places that they shouldn't."
Those found intentionally visiting adult sites face a range of penalties. Potentially, access could be prohibited or the patron could be banned.
Adult sites aren't the only thing libraries are hoping to avoid.
When Warsaw connected to the Internet, it originally permitted people to access chatrooms, which are popular with people who want to interact and make friends on the Internet. The library later banned chatrooms because young chat enthusiasts began monopolizing the terminal.
Milford and Cromwell also prohibit chatrooms. Syracuse Public Library, which has four terminals, permits chatroom interaction. Chat is one of the most popular uses, said library director Roselyn Jones.
Library directors predict interest in using public terminals will continue to rise. But assessing how much is still guesswork.
Warsaw library will decide later about how many terminals will have Internet access when its lab opens. A CD-Rom network will be blended with Internet terminals, said library director Ann Zydek.
But just surfing the web for a specific purpose can be challenging for the novice. Understanding how to search for a subject is a key.
"I've had a lot of people tell me it's boring and frustrating," Krull said.
"We see a need to have further classes for people who are past the basic instruction," she said.
At Warsaw, Dawson has started a sign-up sheet for people interested in more free, in-depth assistance, most of which will be one-on-one.
Library workers don't keep tabs on the subjects, but have noticed a handful of popular themes. Some online patrons seek stock quotes, while others look for missing relatives, learn about antique clubs and surf for inexpensive airline tickets, Krull said.
Other popular uses have been business research and company profiles. [[In-content Ad]]